Why create a highly protected Marine Protected Area (MPA)? What are the benefits?

Perhaps you are a fisher living in a coastal community, and you’ve noticed that the fish you catch are becoming smaller and harder to find; by setting aside a portion of your fishing grounds in an MPA, you can help fish populations recover and become healthier for the future.

Maybe you run a business that relies on ocean tourism, like a dive shop; people flock to areas with beautiful ecosystems and abundant marine life, like those found within MPAs, and protecting these areas helps ensure they will continue to attract visitors and support your business for years to come. Or you might be a mayor of a coastal town, interested in enhancing local economic opportunities while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for your citizens; an MPA may be exactly the proven solution you’re looking for to take some of the human pressure off our ocean, allowing it to recover and thrive and produce the benefits that people want and need. Or maybe you are a scientist interested in studying marine life; MPAs are important places to compare to unprotected ocean areas. 

MPAs are a powerful and versatile tool for reviving our ocean. When we design, manage, and resource them appropriately, MPAs can work wonders for both people and nature.